My verdict is Guilty (Jack)

[Knuckles]

I'm back in my office reading through the files of those currently detained. All of the animals deserving of death are reclining in the cells waiting for the fate to be determined. Jack's file sits on my desk. I've read through it several times. I read through it over and over again because I'm not wanting to forget anything. It's time for his punishment to be fulfilled. It's time for him to suffer for the crime he has committed. It's time for the guilty to suffer for everything he has done. Either his son will become one of us, or he will lose his leg unless he hasn't made his decision. If he hasn't made his decision, it's going to be an honor to inform him that both will be taken from him. I will take the honor of raising his son in the correct ways of Panem. I'll make sure he knows the love the Capitol has for all the citizens. I'll make sure that he's placed in District Ten where Jack resides. It'll be the perfect punishment for him knowing that his son works for the Capitol that he despises.

I take a sip of my tea before slamming the files down on my desk. I look up at the small clock, and his hour is up. It's time for him to decide. It's time for his guilty verdict to be fulfilled. He'll wish he never trespassed in the Capitol woods. He'll wish he never lied about the crime that he committed, and this time, I'll make sure he never trespasses again. He won't be able to step foot across the fence again because the punishment will prevent him from doing so. If his leg is gone, he won't be able to step foot across the line. If his son is given to us, he can still step across the line, but I'll make sure his daughter comes to us if he tries. This will be the one time I'll be able to win. I'll break him with everything I have because he committed a crime, and he's guilty until proven innocent, and he hasn't been proved innocent. He's a guilty, filthy soul that deserves what's coming to him. It's an experience that brings a huge smile to my face. I shove my desk out of the way grabbing the shackles on top of them, and I head out of my office.

I walk down the hall to the cells. I can hear everything growing quiet. Not a person says a word when they hear a peacekeeper walking through the halls. Nobody knows who is going to be dragged out of the cell to be interrogated. A huge smile grows on my face. I enjoy this part of my job. I enjoy being able to scare those around me. I enjoy being able to slam my fists into their sides for no reason possible. If it wasn't for peacekeeper Lee, I would have beaten Jack to a bloody pulp leaving him to die in the interrogation room. I guess she had other plans for him. She's given him the best punishment I've ever heard of. I wouldn't have thought about it. I wouldn't have given him a choice. I would have taken his son away from him without questioning him. He didn't deserve the option, but he's been given an option. I really hope he hasn't decided because I want to raise his son to hate him. I want his son to love the almighty Capitol and hate the citizens. That would be perfect.

The shackles rattle as I walk through the halls bringing more joy to my life. It's an exciting moment when justice is about to be carried out. It's that moment when everything is going as planned. Nothing can stand in my way. The pain he's about to feel will cause the smile I have to grow larger. Seeing people in pain because they went against the loving Capitol is always fun. If they don't want to deal with the punishment, they should show respect towards the Capitol. All that's asked is to keep the law. They just need to stay in their districts, and abide by the laws of the land, but it seems people don't understand that. It's not that hard if they just do what they are told, but some of these people are complete idiots. Everyone that is being detained is a fool because they are stupid. I want to have the honor of turning someone into an Avox. I want to cut out their tongue so they can never talk again. It would be the best day ever sending a criminal to serve the Capitol they hate. That is one of the best punishments around, and I still believe Jack should become an Avox.

I stop in front of the cell A3 because it's the one that holds Jack. I don't have to look at the numbers anymore because I've been to this cell several times in the last few days. I've been trying to punish the animal that resides inside of it right now. I take the keys off my belt loop, and I open the door with a click. I step inside and stare at Jack with a huge grin on my face. Justice is finally happening. I look at the kid in the room with him. I hope I'm the one that gets to interrogate him. I hope I can make that kid break under the pressure, but for now I have to focus on Jack. "Your hour to decide is up. Your punishment is about to be delivered. You have thirty seconds to give me your answer or I'll take both of them. I will personally go to District Ten and pick up your son and bring him back here. Don't keep me waiting because my patience is wearing thin, and I'm not playing games anymore. So, Jack, what will it be? Your son, or your leg?" The smile on my face grows larger as I stare at him. I tap my finger to my wrist allowing him to know his time is almost up.

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[Jack Lexington]

I cannot even try to put down in words what happens inside me after I get dragged out of the interrogation room with a decision like that hanging over of my head like the sword of Damocles. I tried to tell them on the spot that I will never give up my son, therefore I must give up one of my limbs.

Screaming and squirming they drag me down the hallway towards my cell but won't accept my answer. No yet.
Instead I get locked up for the remaining time. 'Enjoy while you're still in one piece.'
"Wait!" I hammer my fist against the door, that gets locked behind me, out of shere fear that they'll go and take my boy anyway. The thought alone makes me near crazy.
For a moment I feel my cell mates eyes on me but can't be bothered with him right now.

I will never understand why I#m going to be punsihed for a legal cattle run but that's proabably not the point anyway. I've crossed too many lines and have gone unpunished too many times. This time they'll turn me into an example. Visible for everybody, for good.
I have to somehow prepare myself for what is about to happen to me. One would think it's easy because I've practically already lost that leg years ago in a fight. That it's still attached and working half way is a miracle. All the more dramatic to think that I've struggled for so long to keep it and now will loose it at the hands of a peace keeper.

I'd be lying if I said I'm not terrified about the pain. My heart is beating so fast I'm sure it#ll burst my chest soon. By now I'm sweat soaked and shaking all over. But what's worse is what comes later. My family will starve if I can't work. Everybody will have to struggle so much more just to eat. My poor parents, Josh and Briar.

Before I know it the times up. The peace keeper who has been interrogating and beating me at first comes to pick me up but I don't even lift my eyes to look at him to see the satisfied smirk on his ugly features.
Before he can even finish his lijne about my options I growl at him. "My leg!"
I keep my eyes trained at the floor because I know that if I look at him or my cell mate I'll break. I'll start begging for mercy and I'll loose my son. That's not an option though.

As brave as I manage I step outside the cell to be cuffed again.
Maybe I'll have a heart attack before I reach my destination because my heart has never been beating this fast. I am terrified. Down to the bone. I've never felt more fear in my live before. Never had to make a decision like this either.

The wlak takes us to another level but not enough time passes if you ask me. I walk slow, feel my two feet against the hard concrete...one last time.
A steel door opens in front of me. Eyes wide open I stare into a bright white room with overhead neon lights and 'medical supplies' I don't even want to know what they are for. Instinctively I dig my heals in and don't move one more step.
One question needs to be asked again. "Did you get my permission papers?" Suddenly my green eyes are fixed on the man next to me.

[Knuckles]

I slam the cell door closed behind us as I lead this animal away for the surgery. I laugh the entire way as I drag him behind me trying to make sure he's keeping up. I don't want him falling behind, and I don't want to lose him because this is one of the best days of my life. I'm amazed by it because everything is working out just as it should. He's a criminal and he deserves his punishment. The smile grows on my face from ear to ear spreading across my face as the thought of making him in pain brightens my day. It's going to make it worth leaving my hot cup of tea in my office because I can always return to it. I want him to suffer, and I will make sure he never trespasses in the Capitol woods again. I'll plant it in his mind that trespassing is against the rules. I keep jerking the shackles around his wrists leading him through the hall.

I reach the room where the surgery is going to take place and I shove him in as hard as I possibly can. "You want to sign papers? Well here sign them!" The surgeon drops the papers down in front of them slamming a pen against the table. The smile grows as large as it can possibly grow. The animal committed the crime and now he's going to pay. He's going to pay for his crimes he's committed in the past. He'll never be the same. I take the pen away from him and order him on the table. I look over at the surgeon and nod my head. This animal will be awake feeling the pain of the entire surgery. He'll be able to hear as the saw slices through his bone. He'll feel the pain. He won't be able to escape from it. When he's on the table I shackle him to it so he can't fight. I make sure he's unable to move. I want to hear him scream as it happens. I want to watch. I won't move away.

I walk to the door motioning for the surgeon to proceed. I can feel my heart racing as I clinch my hands into fist from excitement. The small punches I blew on him earlier will be nothing compared to this. The welts the grew on his face will be nothing, and I get to watch it all. I get to make sure he's punished. I get the honor of being around watching it happen. I just need my tea. I watch as the surgeon walks over to his table of supplies as he runs his hands over top of them trying to figure out which one to use. I want him to use the one that will cause the most pain. I lean forward on my toes waiting like a child standing in a candy store waiting to get the bag of candy. I watch as the surgeon picks up a large scalpel walking back over to where the animal is laying. This pig is getting what he deserves. He's getting everything he deserves since he violated the laws that the Capitol set out. Jack Lexington." I begin, "You are about to be punished for your crimes. It's time." I nod at the surgeon as he gets to work with his scalpel. I laugh as his screams fill the air.

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ooc: Well it's short and crappy, but here it is.

[Jack Lexington]

As much as I know that I need to do this to save my son I cannot move my feet to step into the operating room. I’m frozen. Paralyzed with fear.
I close my eyes for a second until I get pushed forward. The surgeon tosses some papers our way but I’m too busy trying to remain on my own two feet as long as I can. My heart is beating so hard by now that I think it will simply explode.
Even though I’m trying my very best to stay brave all color has vanished from my face.
What’s worst is that I don’t get an answer to my question whether he checked my papers. How could he not do that? How could this man stand there and watch me get punished like that when I might be innocent?

Before I know it I get pushed towards the shiny metal table in the middle of the room, where I’m pinned down and shackled.
That’s when I start struggling. My head says ‘Just be brave.’ But everything else inside of me screams ‘run away’ and that’s what I try to do. With all my strength I rip on the shakles to get my arms from above my head and my feet free. When that doesn’t work I try winding away. “No, wait. You’re making a mistake. I’m innocent. Check my PAPERS! Check the fucking papers, please! Please, I’m begging you.” Even now I know that begging will give the pks more satisfaction and get me further than cursing them out.
"Please, think about my children. I need to be able to work. Please!"
Instead getting released I feel my pants being pulled down to my ankles.
“No, dooon’t.”


Out of the corner of my eye I see the surgeon reaching for something on the sideboard.
The evil laughter of the peace keeper momentarily distracts me. Wet and cold. Something gets dabbed on the skin below my knee and instantly I move it as far away as I can under these circumstances.
My heart stops for a split second, I think, but then it kicks back in twice as hard as I watch the surgeon approach me with a scalpel. Eyes wide open I face my fate.
But as soon as it cuts into my flesh I loose every tiny bit of self composure and start screaming like a maniac, which earns me a three second break before he continues. It’s the only way to deal with this kind of pain. And it’s what they want from me.
Somewhere between the muscles and bone I scream so much because of agony they’re putting me through that my vision and hearing, blacks out and dulls everything to a bearable level.

[Knuckles]

I watch intently as the surgeon works. Hearing him scream is music to my ears. I love hearing the animals scream as they are punished. It means the job is done well. It means the animal will quickly learn to never break the law again because the next punishment will only be worse. I laugh as he begs for it not to happen. He pleads about his family. I never had a family of my own, so I'll never understand. I don't want to understand because I'm having too much fun. I start laughing louder. The surgeon motions for me to come over. I sigh and head to him. "It will be easier to cut through the muscle first. Turn him." I unshackle the animal as quickly as I can turning him over with huge force as the smile continues growing on my face. My entire face is lit up with excitement. I quickly shackle him back to the bed making it impossible to move. I step back over by the door as quickly as I can to guard anyone from entering. I look back up at the surgeon and motion for Jim to carry on.

A knock on the door startles me. I lower my head to the ground. I look at the surgeon. "Carry on. I'll be back its official business." I turn out the door and shut it behind me listening to the screams continue through the room. A peacekeeper stands in front of me holding something in his hands. I cock my head sideways as I stare at him. "What the heck are those?" I ask quietly. He looks at me with a smile on his face. "I have orders to let him go because if we follow him closely he'll lead us right to the man that runs this cattle business. Jack is our only way to find him. Peacekeepers have been dispatched in large force around district ten. He won't get away." I sigh and look at him. I turn away and hang my head. The moment I've been waiting for is ruined. I wanted to watch him lose his leg, but I guess it won't be happening completely. "Okay, I'll tell the surgeon before his leg I'd completely gone." I walk away and turn back into the room slamming the door behind me.

The surgeon jumps and states at me. "We have to let him go other plans have been made. Other plans that must be carried out, and he is needed to be able to walk for it." I look over at Jack. Blood gushing from his wounds. I walk over to him looking how deep the scalpel has dug in. I can see the bone that's been exposed. "At least he got punished. It'll take forever for that leg to heal. He'll be lucky if he can walk at all after this. Bandage him up so he doesn't bleed out because he's still needed." I let the surgeon finish bandaging him. I walk over and unshackle him as anger floods my eyes. "Get the hell out of here kid. Don't break the law again because next time, you'll be Avoxed. There'll be no if's and's or but's. Do you understand? Now get out! Get lost! And remember the Capitol is always watching for you to mess up. I throw the shackles on the ground before storming out of the room. I slam the door behind me as I'm pissed he didn't lose his leg.

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[Jack Lexington]

I'm only half conscious due to the immense amout of pain the scalpel cutting into my flesh is causing me. My face is contorted in pain, eyes squeezed shut, throat raw from screaming like a manica, yet I keep doing it because it seems to drown out the pain some more. What I'm not aware is that it comes out as a mere, muffled groan once they turn me over with like a piece of meat on the grill.
Again I get shackled which is absolutely useless because I'm not even fully there.
For a moment I only feel cold steel against my cheek. The surgeon has stopped his 'work'. Yet I remain only half conscious drooling onto the steel below my face.
Then it starts again. This time he cuts into my leg form the back. How long will this take? Will the pain ever subside? Will I bleed out or survive this?
For a brief moment I'm taken back to the day in the woods when I saw a small blonde girl being attacked by a few careers. Vividly I remember how one guys sword sliced into my leg with one magnificent blow cutting down to the bone. It was a lot like now with the only difference that I didn't see it coming and it happened fast. How I fought for my life out there and then later to keep my leg and I did...only to come to this point. After all these years I'm still going to loose it. Gritting my teeth, more gurgled cries escape my hoarse throat. I wish nothing more than to pass out but I'm not that lucky.
For some reason the pain decreases slightly.

it takes me a moment until I become aware that the peace keeper has left the room and is now coming back barking out some orders. There are three words that my dulled mind can single out 'let him go'.

Am I phantasizing? Am I that far gone or is this real. Opening one eye I see the surgeon place his scalpel away.
Is this really happening?
I know it is when I hear his angry screams. He's so full of regret that he can't allow the man to finish his work.

I can't really wrap my head around what or why this is happening, just that I might actually 'go home'.
It takes me at least another 5 minutes until I'm fully aware of what's happening. Behind me the surgeon is cursing loudly as he's trying to still the bleeding and putting back together what he'd just taken apart. It hurts almost as much as before but the knowledge that I'm not loosing my leg keeps me awake.
While I bite my lip it dawns on me that they finally found my papers. Maybe I'm really going home. I swear I don't want it but a few hot tears burn their way down my cheeks when I think about Faith for the first time in days and my babies. This whole time I've tried not to think about them because I knew it would break me but now....there's no holding back. Half naked on the cold table I cry my little heart out.

About two hours later they've stitched and wrapped me up enough to sign my release papers and kick me out.
I even get the courtesy of a ride back to my home time due to their mistake.

Peace keepers make mistakes. They never admit it. But for one time in his career my peace keeper had to give in. It gives me more satisfaction than anything else that could have happened, even if this is going to cost me my mobility. I know I will never forget this.